Industrials secure double chance
Warragul Industrials secured an Ellinbank District Football League qualifying final berth with a strong victory over Catani, 13-10 (88) to 6-15 (51).
The reigning premier will now have to advance through the finals the long way, starting with an elimination final against Poowong.
With their form wavering over the mid-part of the season, the Industrials made a return to the strong form that puts them well and truly in the premiership mix.
With so much on the line it was a tight start, the Industrials leading by just four points at the first change.
A snap from a boundary throw in countered an early Catani goal before consecutive 50 metre penalties gifted the Industrials the lead.
Tom Keily, who had kicked the opening goal of the match, went inboard to Wade Haysom to put the Blues back in front.
A long goal to the Industrials to finish he quarter would begin a run of five consecutive majors to help the visitor take control of the match.
A 50 metre penalty for encroaching the mark gave Industrials coach Joel Morgan a rare shot on goal and he didn’t waste the opportunity.
Will Jolley snapped forward for the Industrials, providing an opening for Josh Peterson to checkside a goal from the pocket.
Shane Ingham centred to Shane Brewster, who juggled the mark and kicked one of his three goals for the afternoon.
Peterson ran into the open goal as the Industrials stretched their lead.
Haysom snapped his second for some momentary relief for the Blues, but the Industrials moved forward through a free kick for holding the ball to find Mitch Davies in space for the quick reply.
Holding a 23-point lead at the main break, any thoughts of a Catani comeback such as the one that saw the Blues fight for a draw the last time they met were quickly extinguished.
Aside from Stephen Ballingall being forced to the bench for the blood rule on multiple occasions and Russell Ware suffering the inconvenience of being bitten by a wasp while waiting to come back on, the Industrials had little trouble in controlling the match.
A long goal to Davies began the third term and he again found himself on the end of it moments later after Tye Holland had found himself in space.
The umpires were hot on the 50 metre penalties throughout the match and this time it was Dylan Williams who took benefit from an indiscretion into the protected zone.
Brewster countered with a long goal from a 50 metre penalty before Dale Johnson hit back on the scoreboard, again by virtue of a 50 metre penalty.
Holding a five goal advantage at the final change, the Industrials ran through their 12th goal early in the final term to effectively kill the contest.
An arm wrestle ensued for the majority of the final term until the Blues ran the ball to the line for a consolation goal late in the piece.
Brewster flew for the mark to score the final goal of the match.
Tyson Bale sent the ball forward on several occasions, Cooper Minichiello and Peterson defended strongly while a cut head demonstrated Ballingall’s efforts to go after the ball.
Davies and Brewster complemented well up forward in a complete performance for the Industrials as they build towards finals.
Thomas Van Diemen, Haysom, James Alexander, Brayden Kennedy, Liam Adams and Paul Pattison battled hard for a Blues outfit that just couldn’t quite go with the Industrials.